Benin

Context

While the UNDP has noted remarkable progress in gender equality in Benin in the areas of education and the economy, glaring inequalities persist in the health sector.

Access to sexual and reproductive healthcare, the fight against gender-based sexual exploitation and violence, and the fight against discrimination against the most vulnerable populations are therefore key priorities for the country.

Médecins du Monde works to support and strengthen public healthcare systems as guarantors of access to healthcare, including sexual and reproductive healthcare.

Médecins du Monde has been working in Benin since 2006. Its actions are part of an integrated approach to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), combined with the prevention and holistic management of gender-based violence (GBV).

National coordination is based in Cotonou, with operational bases in the departments of Littoral, Borgou and Zou, enabling both community and institutional intervention.

Early pregnancy and gender-based violence: major challenges

In Benin, early pregnancy and gender-based violence are major public health and human rights issues. The rise in teenage pregnancies leads to school dropouts, increased exposure to health risks and lasting limitations on social and economic opportunities.

According to data from the Integrated Data System on Family, Women and Children (SIDOFFE-NG), 1,539 cases of early pregnancy were recorded in 2021. In addition, approximately 49,907 cases of GBV were reported between 2019 and 2022. The most common forms are psychological, physical and sexual violence.

Adolescents and young people facing the challenges of sexuality

Many adolescents and young people face a lack of information and limited access to appropriate sexual and reproductive health services. These difficulties are exacerbated by an unfavourable social and cultural environment: taboos surrounding sexuality, misinformation or under-information, lack of knowledge about sexual and reproductive rights, poor knowledge of prevention methods, early marriage in certain communities, gender inequality and sexual violence.

This combination of factors limits young people’s ability to make informed decisions about their reproductive lives and hinders the effective exercise of rights that are essential to their social, economic and political autonomy.